TREATMENT OF SOLDIERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 January 1916, Page 8

TREATMENT OF SOLDIERS.

COMPARISON WITH AUSTRALIA. By Telegraph.—Jress Association. Auckland, January 25. Comparisons have been made on several occasions recently between the methods adopted by Australia and New Zealand in the treatment of soldiers returned from active service. These comparisons have generally been in disparagement of the New Zealand policy, and opportunity was taken to-night by the Prime Minister to explain that the position had not been fairly stated. The statement made by one soldier was that on his return from the firing line an Australian is permitted to travel free on the railways and when discharged is allowed £lO to purchase civilian clothing. He made the contrast by stating that a New Zealander is allowed only a suit of clothes, or as an alternative a sum of 30s. Inquiries have been made by Mr. Massey, and he has been advised that on his return from the firing line the Australian soldier is given a free railway pass during his furlough, and that term Mr. Massey understands to be the period between recovery and return to camp or discharge. No money is given for the purchase of civilian clothing unless in exceptional cases, but on discharge the soldier is given clothing to the value of £l. The provision'made in these respects for returned soldiers in New Zealand is explained in the official handbook. A ticket entitling the holder to travel free on all Government railways, including free meals on the dining cars, is granted for a period of three weeks to all returned soldiers while on furlough, and free tickets are given to any man on sick leave when the Medical Board considers he is fit to travel. Upon arrival in New Zealand the clothing equipment of every soldier is completed to two uniforms with a great coat, hat, cap, kit bag, boots and underclothing. This equipment becomes the property of the soldier on discharge, and he is specially recommended to preserve one uniform in good order for special occasions. On discharge he receives in addition one suit of plain clothes and cap, an equivalent of 30s.